ANATOMY OF URINARY SYSTEM

Question 1

Where do kidneys extend from and to in terms of vertebral level?

Answer 1

T12 to L3

Question 2

Explain how the kidneys differ in anatomical position?

Answer 2

The right kidney is usually an inch lower due to the presence of the large right lobe of the liver

Question 3

Describe the layers surrounding the kidneys from superficial to deep?

Answer 3

Renal capsule
Perirenal fat
Renal fascia
Pararenal fat

Question 4

What enters and leaves at the renal hilum?

Answer 4

Renal vein, renal artery, nerves, lymph vessels and ureter

Question 5

Describe how the renal parenchyma is organised?

Answer 5

We have an outer cortex and an inner medulla

The outer cortex extends into the medulla through renal pyramids

Question 6

Describe the structure of the renal pyramids?

Answer 6

The middle of the pyramids is the medullary rays, the apex is the renal papilla
Each papilla is associated with a minocalyx and several minocalyxs combine to form a major calyx

Question 7

What’s the function of the minor calyx?

Answer 7

To collect urine from the renal pyramids

The urine then moves into the major calices, into the renal pelvis and then into the ureter

Question 8

Describe the difference in structure of the renal artery in the r and l kidney?

Answer 8

The right renal artery is longer and crosses the veins cava posteriorly, this is because the abdominal aorta is slightly to the left of the midline

Question 9

Outline the movement of blood through the arteries in the kidney?

Answer 9

Renal artery splits into segmental arteries which split into interlobar arteries which run either side of the renal pyramids. These then split into arcuate arteries, then interlobular arteries and finally afferent arteriolar which form the glomerulus (same for veins but backwards)

Question 10

How long are ureters?

Answer 10

About 25cm long

Question 11

What is the uteropelvic junction?

Answer 11

Where the renal pelvis becomes the ureter

Question 12

What does the ureter run alongside?

Answer 12

It descends along the anterior surface of the psoas major

Question 13

Where do the ureters enter the bladder?

Answer 13

on the posterior bladder aspect in the trigone.

Question 14

What is the trigone?

Answer 14

A triangular area within the fundus of the bladder which has smooth walls - structurally different

Question 15

What embryologically forms the trigone?

Answer 15

The caudal end of the mesonephric ducts

Question 16

Describe the structure of the bladder?

Answer 16

Has an apex superiority, a body, a fundus and a neck which is continuous with the urethra

Question 17

What’s the histology of the ureter?

Answer 17

Stratified transitional epithelium

Question 18

What the histology of the bladder?

Answer 18

Transitional epithelium

Question 19

What’s the histology of the urethra and why is it suited for function?

Answer 19

Stratified columnar epithelium

Mucus glands protect it from the corrosive urine

Question 20

How long is the male urethra?

Answer 20

15-20 cm long

Question 21

How long is the female urethra?

Answer 21

4cm long

Question 22

What are the 3 anatomical regions of the male urethra?

Answer 22

Prostatic urethra
Membranous urethra
Spongy urethra

Question 23

Describe prostatic urethra?

Answer 23

Starts as a continuation of thr bladder neck and runs till the prostate gland

Question 24

Describe the spongy urethra?

Answer 24

Has bulbous urethra which is at the bulb of the penis and the pendulous urethra which runs the length of the penis

Question 25

Describe the female urethra?

Answer 25

Starts at the neck of the bladder and passes inferiorly through the perineal membrane and muscular pelvic floor. The urethra opens directly onto the vestibule within the perineum

Question 26

What is clinically significant about females having a shorter urethra?

Answer 26

Less distance for microbes to travel and cause disease - why UTIs are so prevalent in females

Question 27

How can you tell anatomically which kidney is which?

Answer 27

The ureter should be the most posterior aspect of the hilum